You are here

Former Alaska policeman who began dating woman he arrested faces charges

A former Anchorage police officer who allegedly pursued a relationship with a woman he arrested in December of 2012 faces multiple charges for accessing confidential information for personal gain, and on the behalf of his wife and his romantic interest.

Wasilla resident Mark J. Moeller, 25, was hired by the Anchorage Police Department on Oct. 24, 2011 and began working in the field in late summer of 2012. His alleged misconduct began in August, soon after he started duty, and he resigned less than seven months later when police began investigations into his behavior.

Police were alerted of his alleged misconduct after Moeller arrested a 23-year-old woman, identified in court records as A.B., for driving under the influence on Dec. 31, 2012. Moeller contacted her soon afterward, using the phone number he obtained during the arrest, to pursue a romantic relationship, “we believe the next day,” Deputy Chief Steve Hebbe said. The two began to spend time together, Hebbe said.

Moeller began calling Anchorage municipal prosecutor Seneca Theno to ask that the charges against A.B. be dropped. Theno became uncomfortable with Moeller's repeated requests and contacted police on Jan. 25.

An investigation was started and Moeller was placed on administrative leave. He resigned shortly afterwards, on Feb. 15, 2013.

The investigation found that Moeller allegedly conducted warrant checks in August, November and December on his wife’s sister, each time at his wife’s request. When he discovered an outstanding warrant for his sister-in-law, Moeller told his wife not to get pulled over while her sister was in the car.

Police also allege that Moeller ran multiple background checks on A.B., at her request, to find out if her license had been suspended or revoked.

Moeller also accessed information about A.B.’s ex-boyfriend, again at her request, after A.B.’s ex-boyfriend was arrested. Further, while out in Palmer on an unrelated case, Moeller asked Alaska State Troopers about the ex-boyfriend’s arrest and was given a copy of the report. “Moeller stated that he destroyed the AST report by burning it at his house,” charging documents allege. Moeller also showed A.B. some photos taken by troopers related to a dispute between A.B. and her ex-boyfriend.

It appears that a relationship between Moeller and A.B. didn't blossom, though. At some point the "contact was less friendly," and A.B. was no longer interested in Moeller, Hebbe said. Charging documents say the relationship culminated in a sexual encounter in late January.

After what Hebbe called a “lengthy investigation,” Moeller was charged with eight counts of criminal use of a computer, four counts of misuse of confidential information and one count of official misconduct. While criminal use of a computer is a felony with potential jail time, that is unlikely given Moeller’s clean record, Hebbe said.